Name
Harry George Biswell
17 November 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/05/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15030
Essex Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ESSEX FARM CEMETERY
II. M. 21.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial, Leverstock Green Village Memorial, Leverstock Green Village School Memorial
Pre War
Harry George Biswell was born on 17 November 1895 at Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, the son of Harry and Louisa Biswell, and baptised there on 26 September 1897 (the same day as his brother John). He was their eldest child and one of eight children.
Unfortunately his father was often in trouble and was fined 10 shillings plus costs for trespassing whilst ferreting in 1898. In March 1901 he was fined for obscene language whilst drunk and arrested for being drunk and disorderly on several occasions.
On the 1901 Census, the family were living at Belconey, Leverstock Green, where his father was working as a bricklayer's labourer. They remained there on the 1911 Census and Harry was working as a Groom (Domestic).
Wartime Service
Harry enlisted into the army at St Albans in September 1914 and was initially posted to the 12th Battalion, Essex Regiment at Shorncliffe army barracks in Kent. When he was sent to France on 24 August 1915 he joined the 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment on 30 September with 30 other soldiers from the now disbanded 12th Battalion.
He was wounded during the Battle of Loos during a German artillery bombardment, just 15 days after joining the 9th Battalion. This resulted in him being repatriated to England as he had been wounded in four places. On his return to France in early May 1916, he was posted to the 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment which was near Ypres. On 5th May he was shot in the head by a sniper on his way back from the trenches and was taken to a dressing station where he died the following day.
His mother received a letter from the acting-Adjutant, which said; "Your son was always a keen and good Soldier and willing to help his comrades in need, his officer was proud to have him in his platoon and he and the whole company sadly regret his loss. You must rest assured he did his duty both to his King and Country”
He is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Additional Information
Mrs L Biswell, Belconey, Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS”. Brother to John(Jack) Biswell who died on 27 July 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Belgium. His father received a war gratuity of £7 and pay owing of 11s 5d. His mother Louisa received a pension of 10 shillings a week in respect of both sons.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, google.com/site/leverstockgreenwarmemorial, www.hemelatwar.org., www.dacorumheritage.org.uk, www.hemelheroes.com
